Cable TV
Police case filed against two Hathway-linked LCOs in Kolkata for illegally carrying Star Sports 1 signals
NEW DELHI: Kolkata police has registered a first information report (FIR) against two local cable operators (LCOs) Akash Darpan and Titli Cable Service, both linked to multi system operator Hathway Cable and Datacom’s network for illegally re-transmitting signals of Star Sports1 on unencrypted frequencies.
The FIR follows the raids conducted by the Kolkata police after a complaint was filed by Star on 22 July against ‘the deliberate illegal acts of Hathway.’
Acting on the complaint, the police raided the control rooms of the LCOs and found that the signals of Star Sports 1 were being retransmitted in unencrypted mode on LCN No. 872 meant for local channels. The police registered an FIR No. 649/14 dated 22 July 2014 against Hathway and the two LCOs under sections 120-B/409 IPC and 37/51/63/65/69 Copyright Act.
Star said in a press release that ‘in order to mislead and deceive it, Hathway has adopted an unlawful methodology whereby Hathway’s electronic programming guide (EPG) displays to the subscribers that the said TV channel is available on an a-la-carte basis. However, the said channel is available and enjoyed by Hathway subscribers even without opting for the said TV channel on an a-la-carte basis by the unlawful placement of the TV channel in unencrypted frequencies/forms.’
The broadcaster also claims that because of the unlawful placement of the channel, the subscriber base of Star Sports1 is not captured on the SMS and Cable Access System of Hathway. Consequently, the MSO does not pay any license/subscription fee, though the channel is available and viewed by the Hathway subscribers.
Star investigated the issue and video recorded the unencrypted retransmission by Hathway on 19 July on being informed of the illegal retransmission.
Even earlier, Hathway had illegally carried Star Sports channels on unencrypted frequencies in the DAS notified city of Mumbai in gross violation of the provisions of sections 51 & 63 of the Copyright Act, the Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act and the applicable Regulations of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India. A legal notice on 27 February 2014 was issued by Star Sports India in this regard.
Cable TV
Hathway Cable appoints Gurjeev Singh Kapoor as CEO
Leadership change comes as cable TV faces shrinking subscriber base and modest earnings pressure
MUMBAI: Hathway Cable and Datacom has tapped industry veteran Gurjeev Singh Kapoor as chief executive officer, marking a leadership pivot at a time when India’s cable television business is under mounting strain.
Kapoor will take over from Tavinderjit Singh Panesar, who is set to retire in August after a long innings with the company. Panesar, chief executive since 2023, has held multiple leadership roles at Hathway, including his latest stint beginning in 2022.
Kapoor brings more than three decades of experience in media and entertainment. He most recently led distribution at The Walt Disney Company’s Star India business, now part of JioStar. His career spans television distribution and affiliate partnerships, with stints at Sony Pictures Networks India, Discovery Communications and Zee Entertainment.
Panesar, with over three decades in the industry, has worked across strategic planning, distribution and business development in media, broadcasting and manufacturing. His past associations include ESPN Star Sports, Star India, Apollo Tyres and JK Industries.
The transition lands as the cable sector grapples with structural disruption. Traditional operators are losing ground to streaming platforms, while telecom and broadband players tighten the squeeze with bundled offerings.
An EY report estimates India’s pay-TV base could shrink by a further 30 to 40 million households by 2030, taking the total down to 71 to 81 million. The slide follows a loss of nearly 40 million homes between 2018 and 2024, a contraction that has already wiped out more than 37,000 jobs in the local cable operator ecosystem.
Hathway’s numbers reflect the strain. The company reported a consolidated net profit of Rs 93 crore for FY25, down from Rs 99 crore a year earlier. Revenue inched up to Rs 2,040 crore from Rs 1,981 crore. As of December 2025, it had about 4.7 million cable TV subscribers and roughly 1.02 million broadband users.
Kapoor steps in with a familiar brief but a shrinking playbook. In a market where viewers are cutting cords faster than companies can reinvent them, the new chief executive inherits a business fighting to stay plugged in.
